Coating machine



March 5, 1946. R. E. J. NoRDQulsT 2,395,903

CQATING MACHINE Filed Jan. 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1l Y ATTORNEYS March5, 1946.

R. E. J. NORDQUIST Filed Jan. 18, 1941 COATINGZMACHINE i 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Patented Mar. 5, .1946

COATIN G MACHINE Ronald E. J. Nordquist, Maplewood, N. J.. as-

signor ,to American Can Company, New York,

N. Y., a corporation o! New Jersey Application January 18, 1941, SerialNo. 375.063

` (ci. sii- 51) 4 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to a coating ma chine for applying a filmof uid coating substance to a web of material passed between a pressureroller and an applying roller operating in a bath of the coatingsubstance and has particular reference to a pressure device formaintaining the pressure roller in operative position relative tc theapplying roller.

In machines for applying coating materials to web stock it is sometimesnecessary to stop the machine during the coating operation. Where heatis used to maintain the coating material in a iiuid condition it isdesirable to remove the web from the applying roller4 by raising thepressure roller so that the web will not be burned while the machine isidle. i

' In stopping the machine the momentum of the machine parts keepl theweb in motion after it has been removed from the applying roller andhence the place on the web where the coating material terminated will beadvanced some disstance from the applying roller when the 'latterilnally comes to a standstill. Thus when. the machine is again startedand the web returned to engagement with the applying roller forcontinuing the coating operation there will be a blank space or skip onthe web extending from the against the web and the web against theapplylng roller until the latter comes to a dead stop. This 'is done bymeans of time delay and pressure thereby prevent skips or uncoatedportions on the web caused by stopping of the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a machinewherein compressed air pressure devices and time delay control devicesoperating in conjunction with the motive power of the machine areutilized to effect the timed release and the return of the web relativeto the applying roller so that a continuous coating of the web may beinsured.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which. takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

. Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through a coating machineembodying the instant inven-l tion, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the machine shown inEig. 1, with parts broken devices which release the pressure roller apredetermined period after the machine stops. 'I'his insures that thepressure roller will separate from the applying roller and carry the webwith it thereby releasing the web from the applying roller at the pointwhere the coating terminated. Hence when the web is again returned tothe applying roller, when the machine is again started, the coating willcontinue from the point where it left oil and thus skips or non-coatedportions inthe web will be prevented.

An object of the invention is the provision of i a coating machinehaving a pressure roller and an applying roller between which a web tobe coated is passed, wherein the pressure roller keeps the web inengagement with the applying roller until the latter comes to astand-still when the machine is stopped and thereafter releases the webfrom the applying roller until the machine is again started so that thecoating of the web will continue from the place where it left ofi andaway;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary portion of the web being operated upon andshowing hcw the coating terminates when the machine ceases operation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially alongthe broken line 4 4 in Fig. l: and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the electric apparatus used in themachine.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings disclose theprincipal parts of a coating machine of the character utilized forapplying a hot iluid thermoplastic adhesive in a predetermined design toone side of a substantially continuous web A of fibre material such asheavy paper from which containers or nbre cans are made. The web may befed into and away from the machine in any suitable manner.

While in the machine, the web is fed by upper and lower cooperatingrollers between which the web passes. These rollers constitute anadhesive applying roller I l (Figs. 1 and 2) and a pressure roller I2.'I'he pressure roller I2 presses the movinglweb against the applyingroller Il. During its travel through the machine. the web is held tautby spaced, parallel idler rollers i3.

The adhesive applying roller il is formed with trunnions I5 which arejournaled in bearings I8 carried in side frames Il which constitute themain frame of the machine. The roller is preferably of the intaglio typeand rotates in a bath of heated thermoplastic adhesive retained in areservoir 2| .disposed between the sideirames.v

-2and4).

by a heating medium auch as hot water, hot oil, steam or the like whichis circulated through a space 22 in a jacket 23 which surrounds thereservoir. An inlet pipe 24 and an outlet pipe 25 secured in the jacketprovide for the circulation of the heating medium through the Jacketspace.

The adhesive applying roller Il is rotated by a gear 21 which is carriedon one of the trunnions i5. This gear meshes with a driving pinion 28mounted on the rotor shaft of an electric motor 29.

Hence as the roller rotates in the bath of adhesive it picks up theadhesive and carries it up toward the web. All of this picked-upadhesive except that contained within the pockets or intaglio recessesof the roller is scraped oil by a doctor blade 32 which is locatedwithin the reservoir and which bears upon the periphery of the intaglioroller. It is this pocketed adhesive that is applied to the moving webin the same pattern as that on the surface of the intaglio roller. Byway oi' example one such applied pattern of adhesive is shown on the webin Fig. 3 and is indicated by the letter B.

If desired the adhesive applying roller Il may be maintained in a heatedcondition. For this purpose the roller and its trunnions I are madehollow so that a liquid heating medium may be circulated through them,

I'he pressure roller I2 is preferably mounted above the adhesiveapplying roller l I. This pressure roller is formed with trunnions 35(Fig. 1) which are journaled in bearings 36 formed in vertically movableslide blocks 31 (see also Figs.

The slide blocks are retained in slideways 38 formed in a hingedlymounted auxiliary frame 39 which is mounted on a pivot shaft 4i securedin the side frames I1.

This construction of auxiliary frame, permits of swinging frame andpressure roller back and out of the way when it is desired to clean themachine. When the auxiliary frame and the pressure roller are inoperative position, as shown inthe drawings, the frame is locked againstdisplacement by latch members 43. At one end, these latch members aremounted on pivot pins 44 secured in the auxiliary frames, while at theother end each latch member engages with a shoulder 45 on the sideframes.

The pressure roller I2 -is rotated in unison with the adhesive applyingroller l I by a gear 41 which is mounted on trunnions of the pressureroller. Gear 41 meshes with and is driven by the adhesive applyingroller gear 21.

Under operating conditions the pressure roller l2 is forced down againstthe web which in turn is held against the adhesive 'applying roller ilwith av predetermined force or pressure. This is effected by compressedair pressure devices or units generally indicated by the numeral 5I.There is one of these devices on each side of the .machine and they areconnected with the pressure roller slide blocks 31. The two devices areidentical in construction and they operate in unison as will now beexplained.

Each pressure device 5| includes a four part cylinder housing whichcomprises a lower section 52 (Fig. 4), a plate section 53, anintermediate or auxiliary cylinder section 54, and an upper or maincylinder section 55. 'I'hese sections are all provided with ilangeswhich are secured by bolts, as shown in the drawings, to hold thehousing sections in place.

The lower housing section 52 of each device is formedas a part of theauxiliary frame 39 and encloses a compartment 51. This compartment isopen to the atmosphere by way of a port or vent I3 formed in a side wallof the housing section. A stem 6i on the slide block 31 extends up intothe compartment 51 through a clearance hole 82 formed in a bottom wall83 of the housing section. Within the compartmentthe stem interlockswith a vertical piston rod 65 which extends up through all of the otherhousing sections and which terminates within the upper section 55.

The plate section 53 of each device rests on top of the bottom section52 and is formed with a pocket casing 81 which extends down into thebottom compartment 51. The pocket casing retains a compression spring88. The bottom of the casing is formed with a clearance hole 89 throughwhich the piston rod 65 extends.

The intermediate or auxiliary cylinder section 54 of each device restson top of the plate -section 53. The upper end of the section is closedwith a disk Wall 12 which is formed with a bearing 13. The bearingsupports a stuffing box 14 for a shouldered portion l5 of the piston rodB5.`

Within the auxiliary cylinder section 54 there is also an auxiliarypiston 11 which is loose on the piston rod 65 and which is supported onthe compression spring 68.

The spring 68 lmaintains the pistonin engagement with the shoulderedportion 15 of the piston rod and thus normally supports and retains thepiston rod and the slide block 31 connected therewith in a raisedposition. In such raised position the pressure roller i2, carried in theslide block, is spaced above and out of engagement with the adhesiveapplying roller Il. A stuiling box 19 is provided in the auxiliarypiston for the piston rod.

The upper or main cylinder section 55 of each device rests on top of theauxiliary cylinder section 54 and contains a main piston 8l which issecured to the upper end of the piston rod B5.

Below the piston the interior` of .the main cylinder section is open tothe atmosphere by way of a channel 82 formed in the disk wall l2 of vtheauxiliary cylinder section. The inner end of the channel communicateswith the interior of the main cylinder 55 while its outer endcommunicates with -the outside atmosphere.

Compressed air is introduced into the interior of the main cylindersection 55 of each device above the'main piston 8| and also into theauxiliary cylinder section 54 above the auxiliary piston 11. This isdone by way of ports 85 and a channel 86 formed in the side Walls of thecylinder sections. The channel 86 communicates with a pipe 81, one endof which is threaded into the side wall of the main cylinder section 55.

The pipes 81 from'both pressure devices 5I communicate with a lead pipeB9 (Fig. 1) which is connected into a casing 9| of a slide valve 92.

The valve is formed on a stem 93 which extends into an electric solenoid94. The solenoid end of the valve stem is backed up by va compressionspring 95. The solenoid is connected into a source of electric energyand is operated by being energized and deenergized at predeterminedtimes as will be hereinafter explained in connection with the wiringdiagram of Fig. 5.

When the machine is operating, Vthe solenoid 94 is maintained energizedand the valve 92 is held inlifted position and against the resistance ofthe spring 95. A valve port 9B at such time is in registry with the endof the lead pipe 88 in the valve casing. In this position of the valve,

lof the machine.

the port 99' is also in registry with the end of a main supply pipe 91which leads from any suitable supply of compressed air. The machine endof this pipe is threaded into the valve casing 9| on the side oppositethe lead pipe 99. 5 With the valve 92 in this open position, com-`pressed air flows through the main supply pipe 91, valve port'9'9, leadpipe 99, pipes 91 and into l iiiary piston 11 and thus compresses thecorre-.20

sponding spring 99 in the cylinder on that side This relieves each mainpiston of the extra load oi' compressing the spring and insures moreelllcient operation of the device.

When the machine stops operating, it is deg5 sirable to relieve thepressure on the pressure roller i2 and to bring the web A out ofengagement with the adhesive applying roller to prevent burning of thepaper or fibre web as hereinbefore mentioned. 'This is done bydeenergizing the 30 solenoid 94. v

When the solenoid 94 is deenergized the valve spring 95 shifts the valve92 in its casing 9| and thereby moves the valve port 99 out of registry`with themain air supply pipe 91. This cuts oil 95 the supply of air tothe air pressure units 5|. In this'closed position of the valve. thevalve port 99 is in registry with an atmosphere port Y99 cut through thewall of the valve casing. Communication between atmosphere andthe leadpipe 99 40l is obtained at such time, such. communication being effectedby way of an elongated extension -99 of the valve port 99.

Hence the interiors of the cylinder sections 94, 55 oi -the two pressureunits are open to the 45 atmosphere the air pressure therein having beenimmediately dissipated by movement of the valve 92. The compressionspring 99 in the auxiliary cylinder 54 of each device is expanded whenthe 50 parts are in this condition and each auxiliary piston 11 is inits raised position. At the time or the .change from pressure toatmosphere each piston l1 pressing against the shouldered portion 'I0 ofthe piston rod 99 raises the rod, its 'associated main piston 8| and theslide block 91 connected therewith. .This lifts or elevates the pressureroller I2 from operative engagement with the adhesive applying rollerIl.

The web A follows the pressure roller l2 an hence moves out ofengagement with the adhesive applying roller. Further application of theadhesive to the web in the pattern B thus terminates at once. The webthereupon remains in its relative position until it and the pressureroller 65 are again returned to operative position against the adhesiveapplying roller. c

In a conventional machine not equipped with the present adhesiveapplying control, the pressure roller and web when abruptly shifted away7o from the adhesive roller moves out of proper position. At such timethe momentum of the mov-l ingparts oi' the machine maintains theadvancing web in motion until the machine comes to a dead stop, ashereinbefcre explained. It is 15 of the air valve solenoid 94.

this momentum that causes skips-or uncoated portions in the adhesivepattern on the web.

In the present invention. to prevent these skips in the adhesive patternwhenever the machine stops, provision is made for maintaining thepressure roller I2 in engagement with the web vand the web with theapplying roller untilthe machine has actually come to a dead stop. Thisis preferably done by prolonging the air supplied to the pressuredevices by maintaining the compressed air in iorce in the cylinders 04,.99. The air pressure is maintained by a time delay.

device connected with the electric apparatus in the machine and for thisfeature reference should now be had to the wiring diagram in Fig. 5.

The wiring diagram includes a machine motor circuit X, a time delaycircuit Y. and a solenoid circuit Z. The motor circuit includes theelectric motor 29 which is the source of power for operating themachine. This motor is connected by a lead wire I0| to a suitable sourceot electric energy such as a generator I 02 and is also connected by alead wire |09 to one side of a service switch |04. The opposite side ofthe -switch is connected by a wire |09 to the gener r ||9 to the mainlead wire |0| of the motor circuit while the opposite side of thesolenoid relay ils" connected by a wire |I4 to the motor lead wire 9. lHence when the motor circuit X is closed, part of theelectric energypassing along the circuit also ows along the time delay circuit Y. Thisenergizes the solenoid relay |09 and keeps its switch elementi 09closed.

The switch element |09 is included in the solenoid circuit Z and closesagainst a contact I|9 of a wire .||1 which connects with the motorcircuit wire I0|and also closes against a contact H9 of a wire H9 whichconnects into the coil The solenoid is also connected by a wire |2| tothe motor circuit wire |05. Hence as long as the switch element |09 ismaintained closed against the solenoid cir.- cuit contacts IIB, Ila.electric energy from the motor circuit passes along the solenoid circuitand therebymaintsins the solenoid 94 energized and thus keeps the airvalve open se that compressed air will be introduced into the cylinders94, 59 oi the air pressure units 5| as hereeffected byopening the motorcircuit switch |04.

Opening of the switch breaks the motor circuit and hence the motorcommences to coast to a stop. At the same time, lthis breaking of themotor circuit breaks the time delay circuit Y and thus the solenoidrelay |09 becomes deenergized. Deenergization of the solenoid relay |09sets the time delay device III in operation.

The time delay device I I is set to operate for a predetermined periodof time which is suillcient to allow the machine to come to a dead stop.At the termination of this period of time the delay device opens theswitch element |09 o! the solenoid relay |09 and thus breaks thesolenoid circuit Z. This deenergizes the solenoid 94 and immediately thecompressedY air control valve 92 operates to'cut of! the flow oi'compressed air and to'open each of the cylinders il, 55 to theatmosphere, as hereinbefore explained. Springs 88 are thus permitted tomove the pressure roll I2 out o!Y operative engagement with the web andadhesive applying roller i l.

In' this manner the web A is maintained in engagement with the adhesiveapplying roller l I until both the roller and the web have come -to adead stop. .The web may then be released from the roller withoutthrowing out the surface relationship oi the two. Since neither the webis advanced along its lengthv nor the adhesive applying miler rotatedwhile the machine is stopped the adhesive pattern already applied to theweb and that subsequently to be applied` will not bev out of When themachine is again started bye-losing of the motor circuit'switch lill theair valve 92 is immediately opened-and compressed air, entering thecylinders 54, l5 of the air pressure units,

immediately returns the web to the adhesive ap.-

plying roller Il and the application of the adhesive pattern begins atthe place where it was interrupted when the machine stopped. This is inf dicated on the web in Fig. 3 by a dot and dash line c-c. Thus skips inthe adhesive pattern are en-v come to astand-still while the web'is inengagement with the applying roher, whereby to terminate the coatingoperation at a locality on the web from which the coating operation maybe resumed when the machine is again started withoutinterruption to thecoated film on the web.l t

3. In a machine for applying a coating tluid to a web of material, thecombination of a pair of cooperating rotatable rollers between which theweb of material is passed to receive a film of the coating fluid, meansfor rotating said rollers, one of said rollers being separable from theother. a movable mounting for said separaable roller, an

air cylinder disposed adjacent said mounting and.

tages, the i'orm hereinbefore described being merely a preferredembodiment thereof. v

I claim: 1. In a machine a web .of materiaL'the combination of a pair ofmeans for controlling the movement of said elements, means forseparating said velements whenv the machine stops operating to free theweb and l thereby to terminate the application of the coating iluid tothe web, and `electro-mechanical means responsive to the actuation ofsaid control ling means for actuatingsaid elementseparating vmeans aftera predeterminedtime interval sufd cient to maintain the webengagingsu'rfaces of the elements in exact relation to the vsurface ofthe.

`web when movement of said elements is terminated by shutting down themachine..

2.1-In a machine for applyingrollers i'or rotating thesame; and`electric means connecting with-.saidmotor and 4said valve, saideiectrlc'means including timedelay instrumentalities ior operating saidvalve-to maintain the air pressure on said pressure roller for apredeterl mined period of time after said motor is shutdcwntostopthemachineaudallowtherollersto y coating uid to a'web of.material, the combination of'avrotatable f applying roller fordepositing alfilm ofthe coating fluid `on the web, a rotatable'fpressure roller i A mounted inthe machine for bodily movement rel- Yative to 'said applying roller Afor engagingithe-web 'and'pressing thesamezagainstthe'applyingrollen g means'for applying Va predeterminedair-pressure; Vonsaidroller to maintain the isameiin operative jengagement with said web' and Asaid applying roller, a valve forccntrolling-thelintroduction of,

c mpressed air to said pressure roller, an electric.. motor 4disposed indriving engagement with said for applying a coating iiuid to having amain piston and an auxiliary piston each connected with said mounting, acompression spring normally urging said pistons and said mov- -ablemounting and its roller away from the other of said rollers,'acompressed air line connected to said cylinder for moving said pistonsandsaid roller mounting in a direction towards the other of saidrollers, avalve in said air line operative to admit compressed airthrough said line toy said cylinder to press said separable rolleragainst the web during the vcoating operation, means communicablyconnected to said valve to maintain the air pressure in said cylinderfor a predetermined time interval after said rotating means has beenshut down suillcient to allow the machine to come to a full stop, andmeans for moving said valve to relieve saidv air pressure to permit saidspring to exert pressure on said pistons and move said separable rolleraway from the remaining roller when the coating operation is terminated.1

4. In a machine for applying a coating duid to a web of material, thecombination of a pair of cooperating rotatable rollers between which theweb of materialis passed to receive a illm of the coating fluid, one ofsaid rollers lbeing separable from the other, a movable mounting forsaid separable roller, a shouldered piston rod connect- `ed to saidmounting, a main piston iixed on said 1. rod, an auxiliary pistonloosely mounted on said the rod, a cylinder'for" housing said pistonsacompressed air line connected to said cylinder for introducingcompressed air l therein for moving 1 said pistons in a direction toforce said separable roller into operative engagement with the other ofsaid rollers and to compress said spring, a valve in said air line forcontrolling the air pressure on said pistons, `said valve in oneposition admitting air under pressure; to said loose piston toforce-the-'sameag'ainst the spring to compress Ithe latter'andtofrelieveithe load on the iixed piston, said .admittedairfalsocreatng a pressure fon* .the -xed piston and the parts connected.therewith for pressing the separable roller againstthe web during thecoating operation, said valve' infanother'position cutting offthe airsupply. 'while venting said cylinder to atmosphere to permitthe springto exert pressure against said loose piston to shift the piston rod andsaid conof a predetermined time interval suiiicient to alasoaaos low themachine to come to a full stop, whereby ,to hold the air in forceagainst said pistons and said rollersdn operative engagement with oneanother until full stopping of the machine, so that the coatingoperation will terminate only Awhen the web stops moving and at alocality thereon from which .said coating operation may be conv meansfor controlling the movement of said elements, means cooperating withsaid controlling means for holding said elements in operating engagementwhen the machine is in operation, means cooperating with said holdingmeans for separating said elements when the machine stops to terminateapplication of the coating iluid to the web, and means cooperating withsaid holding means for retaining the elements in operative relationduring stopping of the machine andv while its moving parts are coastingto a standstill, said holding means and said retaining web oi materialis passed to receive a iilm of the coating tluid when the machine is inoperation, means for rotating said rollers, means for sepatrol meansincluding a ltime delay controlled valve havingmeans for setting thesame for a predetermined time interval, said valve being operable torenderc said pressure imparting means ineiective f to further maintainsaid pressure roller in pressure engagement with the applying rollerafter said predetermined time interval suiiicient to allow the machineto come to a complete stop, whereby to separate the web from saidapplying roller and insure full coating of the web to an exact line fromwhich the application of the coating iilm may be resumed withoutinterruption of the coating when the machine is again started.

8. In a coating machine for applying a coating fluid to a. web ofmaterial, the combination of a rotatablev applying roller for depositing,a lm of the coating iluid on the web, a rotatable pressure roller forpressing the web against the applying means being, responsive to theactuation of said rating one of said rollers from the other when therollers cease their rotation to tree the web and to thereby terminatethe application of the coating iluid to the `web, means for holding therollers against separation and in operative relation during stopping o!the machine and for e time interval sumclent to permit its moving partsto come to a complete stand-still, and means actuated after the machinehas come to' a full stop to render said holding means ineiIective toiurther prevent separation or the rollers after saidpredetermined timeinterval to permit operation ot said roll separating means, whereby tosepa-v rate the web from one of said rollers and to insure full coatingof the web to an exact line from which the application of the illm maybe resumed without interruption of the coating when the machine is againstarted.

'1. In a coating machine for applying a coating rotatable applyingroller for depositing `o. nlm of the coating duid on the web, arotatable pressure roller for pressing the web against the applyingroller, means tor rotating said rollers, means normolly tending to movesaid` web out of engagement with said applying roller, means forlmparting a predetermined pressure to said pressure roller to maintainthe web `in engagement with the applying roller when the machine is inoperation, and means for controlling the operation o! said pressureimparting means, laid coniiuid to a web oimaterlal, .the combination ofa roller, means disposed and effective at opposite ends of the pressureroller for applying a predetermined amount of iluid pressure, thereon tomaintain the web in engagement with the applying roller when the machineis in operation, means normally tending to move said pressure roller outof engagement with said applying roller, means for rendering saidpressure means ineffective to relieve the pressure on the pressureroller when the machine stops to permit the web to move out ofengagement with the applying roller, and means for controlling theoperation of said pressure applying means, said control means includingatime delay controlled valve having means for setting the same for apredetermined time interval, said valve being operable to render saidfluid pressure applyingmeans ineffective to further maintain pressurebetween said rollersv after said predeterniined'time-interval suiilcientto allow the machine to come to a full stop, whereby to insure fullcoating of the web to an exact line from which the application of thecoating film may be resumed without iriterruption of the coating whenthe machine is again started.

9. In a machine for applying a coating iiuid to a web o`f material, thecombination of a rotatable applying roller for depositing a iilm of thecoating fluid on the web, a rotatable pressure roller for pressing theweb against the applying roller, means for rotating'said rollers in-timed relation. compressed air means connecting with said pressureroller for exertinga predetermined force on `said roller to maintain thesame in pressure operative engagement with said web and said applyingroller, a valve for controlling the introduction of compressed air intosaid pressure device, and control means including time delayinstrumentalities for holding said valve in position to maintain thecompressed air pressure on said pressure roller while the machine is inoperation and for a predetermined time interval suilicient to allow themachine to come to a complete stand-still, said control means alsoincluding means for` moving said valve to another position to shut oisaid compressed air means to discontinue pressure engagement betweensaid rollers after the machine has come to a complete standstill,whereby to terminate the coating operation Y and the nlm of vappliedcoating at a locality on the web from which such coating may becontinued as an uninterrupted coating when thema- Y

